-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- At the suggestion of Cecil Pinto, I am posting the comments below to the Goanet list. This was posted to the Goa Heritage list following the conclusion of this year's Fontainhas Festival. RG
---- With the third Fontainhas Festival of the Arts now behind us, I would like to first: * Say a warm 'Well Done!' and 'Congratulations!' to the Goa Heritage Action Group for organising an innovative and genuinely inclusive festival that so effectively combined art, heritage, people and entertainment. The Fontainhas Festival does Goa proud and serves as a model for any urban administration in India that is committed to cultural engagement of its citizens. Now for some brass tacks: * For the subsequent editions of the Festival there needs to be serious thought given to its integration with IFFI or any similarly large event in Goa. The impact on attendance and participation was noticeable i.e. the number of visitors to the Festival was not what may have been expected given the number of IFFI participants and interested residents of Panjim and Goa. There is of course the element of such a festival being made possible by state financing, but I personally dislike the idea of it becoming an adjunct to a larger jamboree. My position is that a greater measure of financial independence for the GHAG will help, and it is up to Group members and supporters on this list to put their heads together about potential options. * There have been a number of mentions in the press about the opposition to the festival. Several group members have also been quoted by the press or written their points of view. No doubt there is general relief that the protest in the end turned out to be small and well-contained, and that the festival days were not disrupted in any form. However, the failure of the protestors to achieve their agenda should not be seen as an end to the problem. Whatever the equation between those calling themselves the Deshpremi Nagrik Samiti and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, there exists the kernel of a future confrontation, and this must be examined. * My own very brief conversations on the day of the public meeting (following the march by the protestors) with a few members of this Samiti and a couple of the speakers seem to indicate that there are socio-economic tensions that also play a role. This may explain the participation in the anti-festival protests or its endorsement, in whichever way. There will, I know, be arguments against this view from Group and non-Group members to say that the protest marchers were not from the Mala area, that Mala residents are and have been supportive of GHAG initiatives in the past, and that several came forward to ask about participation in this festival. Certainly. That however does not disqualify a better understanding of the divide, whether it be perception or reality. The state administration, other NGOs and the Goa University can be allies in this matter. That done with, I do look forward to the next edition of the Festival and the next GHAG event (which I hope comes sooner than an annual festival). And to those who missed Lorna's high-energy performance in Fontainhas, now would be a good time to administer kicks to yourselves. Dev borem korum, Rahul ________________________________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED] Goa, India : +91 9321027684 / +91 832 2417847 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * G * O * A * N * E * T *** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Spread the Christmas cheer - even when you're not here! Send Christmas Greetings to your loved ones in Goa. 2005 Christmas Package - Flowers, Bubbles and Layers of Love. http://www.goa-world.com/expressions/xmas/ -----------------------------------------------------------------------
